BOARD02250

• Board Meeting Date: 8/6/1951
• Description: Minutes and Resolution
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

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on the Project Report and hence, I could not bind the Board one way or another. I
expressed the thought that the limitations on Colorado water uses under the 1945
decree could not be justified under the conditions now existing on the stream and
that Colorado was entitled to a reconsideration of that decree. I further commented
on the fact that Colorado had as yet taken no steps to secure a modification of the
decree even though there was a water supply for the Kendrick Project and that if
Colorado permitted a major project such as the Glendo to be constructed, there would
result economic development which might forever preclude Colorado from freeing itself
from the decree limitations. My remarks evoked a minimum of enthusiasm from the
group. Mr. Bishop stated that on the area above Pathfinder the f'YOming situation
was comparable to Colorado and he would certainly be willing to discuss the matter.
State Engineer Kleitsch of Nebraska made it ciear that he would not accept a dis-
cussion of a modification of the 1945 decree. as a condition precedent to action on
the G lendo Project. Regional Director Batson expressed the view that any proceedings
to discuss decree modifications or interstate water allocations might well be
deferred until the completion of the Bureau's comprehensive basin report on the
. North Platte. As I understand it, this Repcrt is scheduled for completion in 1953.

The procedure to be followed in securing the conunents of the states was discussed
In view of the provisions of the appropriation acts, Regional Director Batson stated
that he could request those comments in advance of the clearance of the report
through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Secretary of the Interior. Certain
technical changes in the repcrt have to be made. The sheets on which such changes
appear will be forwarded to the States and the States wiJ-l then have sixty days in
which to make their comments.

I assured Mr. Batson that I would recommerrl that the matter be discussed at
the next meeting of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. To facilitate this
discussion I have made this detailed repcrt with the thought that if it is circu-
lated among members of the. Board in advance of the Board's next meeting, a decision
may be expedited.

A copy of this letter is going forward to George Bailey.

Very truly yours,

Jean S. Breitenstein

JSB;hp

cc: George J. Bailey

The Director stated that Avery A. Batson, Director of Region.7, Bureau of
Reclamation, had mentioned to hL~ that certain technical additions or changes in the
report would be made. He anticipated that when these changes were made and copies
submitted to the States of Colorado, r,~roming and Nebraska, sixty days thereafter the
States. vlOuld be expected to submit their official informal comments on the project
report. The Director also explained that Mr. Batson expressed the desire that his
office be heard any time the Board considered the report on the proposed Glendo Project.
The Director stated that Mr. J. A. Keimig of Mr. Batson's office was present and pre-
pared to make a statement.

Mr. Keimig was called upon by the Vice Chairman and made a brief statement con-
cerning the project. Mr. Keimig explained certain phases of the Glendo Project from the
Bureau. of Reclamation pcint of view, and reviewed changes in the report which would soon
be submitted to the affected states.